Material lifting and transporting truck



Jan. 25, 1949. H. A. WAGNER ET AL MATERIAL LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING TRUCK Filed March 12 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l Harold fl. Wa gne'r Gas/are h Wagner INVENTORS I712 arney Jan. 25, 1949. g, WAGNER Em, 2,459,979

MATERIAL LIFTING AND TRANSPORTING TRUCK Filed March 12, 1946 7 2 Shets-Sheec 2 Hora/a A Wagner- Gu-sf'are [i Wamer mvsmons ATIORNEY Patented Jan. 25, 1949 LIFTING AND TRAN SPORTING TRUCK Harold A. Wagner and Gustave H. Wagner,

- Portland, Oreg.

Application March 12, 1946, Serial No. 653,746

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to material handl'ing apparatus and is particularly concerned with a vehicle for lifting and transporting loads.

Material handling trucks such as lift trucks comprise a prime mover vehicle having an elevator tower mounted on the forward end thereof upon which a load lifting element is supported for vertical movement with regard to the tower.

To permit maximum utilization of such vehicles, it is desirable that they be adapted to handle any type of load or be so constructed that various load lifting elements designed for handling different types of materials can be readily interchanged one with the other. All of the adjusting and operative features of the apparatus should be strong and rugged and of simple construction so as to permit foolproof operation and adjustment of the device by unskilled hands.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved material handlingapparatus of simple, lightweight and compact design a new and improved load lifting means comprising a carriage of simple and strong construction designed to receive and support different interchangeable load receiving elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved lifting device comprisinga vertically movable carriage and a load receiving element detachably mounted thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating a carriage and load lifting means according to a second modification of the invention; Fig. 7 isa plan view of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a detail of Fig. '7; and Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating a further modification of the invention.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a vehicle is illustrated including a body frame I!) having a pair of relatively widely opposed front wheels I l which are adapted to be driven by an engine (not shown) mounted within the body ID. The rear end of the vehicle is supported by a single rear wheel l2 upon the lower end of a vertical column 13 which is arranged for free rotation about a vertical axis, a tiller arm I4 being connected to the upper end of.the column B by means of which steering movements of vehicle may be controlled by a driver positioned upon the seat i5. An upright tower structure is mounted upon the forward end of the vehicle having a carriage I8 arranged for vertical movement thereupon, the carriage in turn supporting the load lifting element IT.

The tower structure. comprises lower and upper sections hinged together as at 26, both sections being comprised of pairs of relatively heavy cross-braced angle iron uprights, 21 and 28.

These irons are so arranged that the forward A still further object isto provide a new and improved carriage arrangement for a material handling vehicle.

Another object is to provide a new and improved load lifting element-for a material handling vehicle.

Further objects of the inventionwill become apparent from the following description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. l is a side elevation of the material handling apparatus of the present invention constructed in accordance with one form thereof; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail plan view of the carriage and load lifting element taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3- 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view i1lus-' trating a portion of a modified form of load liftflanges extend in a common plane and away from each other, defining tracks for the rollers of carriage l8., The other flanges of the angle iron members extend rearwardly of the vehicle and those of the lower tower section are welded directly to the opposite side walls of the vehicle body adjacent the foremost edges thereof. The

lowermost ends of the angle iron members 21 and 28 are curved rearwardly as indicated at 22 in Fig. 1 in order to provide for a downwardly tilting of the carriage in the lowermost position thereof.

The tower structure is braced by rearwardly extending braces 29 and 33 which are secured at opposite ends to corresponding tower sections and the vehicle body side walls respectively- The upper section of the tower is provided with a crosshead having a sheave block 31 secured thereto around which is trained a cable 32. The cable is connected at one end to a winch drum (not shown} provided within the forward portion of the vehicle body and connected at its outer end to carriage B.

The carriage l9 comprises a pair of parallel substantially rectangular side plates 36 and 3'! and a unitary cross member 4! spacing plates 36 and 37 apart and rigidly welded thereto along the opposite side edges thereof. The cross member 41 comprises a vertically extending back portion, a channel shaped upper end including a depending forward flange portion 46 and a sloping bottom portion 42, the forward end of which extends slightly beyond the forward edges of plates 36 and slat a point a short distance above the lower front corners of these plates. The spacing between the side plates and 3? of the carriage is slightly greater than the width of the tower structure.

gitudinal edge of the portion.42- and is also welded to the forward edges of the side plates 36 and 31. Pairs of flanged rollers 44 and 45 are rotatably mounted on the inside rear por tion of plates 36 and 37 behind the crossmembers 48 and 49 the corners of which are welded to form a strong lightweight framework against which the material loaded on the lifting element rests. The forward flanges of these frame membersextend in a common plane. Secured to the lower iron 49 are a plurality of lifting arms 5| and 52. These arms are welded at their rearmost portions to the lower portion of the angle iron 49 and extend in a horizontal position forwardly, the bottom edge of the forward ends thereof being tapered as shown to facilitate the insertion of the arms forming the platform ofthe lifting element beneath a load The number of arms forming the platform will depend upon the nature and weight of the load to be transported, the additional arms being provided at spaced intervals between the arms 5! and 52. All the arms forming the platform of the lifting element may be detachably mounted to provide additionalfiexibility to the load lifting device. The detachable arms can be in the form shown in Fig. 4, wherein 49 indicates the lower horizontal member forming part of the back frame portion of the lifting device in the form of an angle iron having its forward flange extending vertically upward. The removable arms comprise 'a load-engaging portion 54 hav-.

ing welded to the rear end thereof an inverted J-shaped member '56 the slot portion thereof being adapted to snugly fit over the upwardly extending flange of angle iron 49. A brace 55 is welded between the rearmost end of the arm and the depending portion of the J-shaped hook portion in order to strengthen the assembly. Such arms can be suitably spaced on cross member 49 to accommodate any type load or to receive a skid of any width.

The lifting element is mounted ou -carriage l8 by means of a removable shaft 6| passing through tubular member 43 and cooperating openings in the rearwardly extending flanges of the frame Tubular member 43 "is posi tioned beneath and welded to the projecting ionmembers 46 and 41. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the shaft 6| extends through openings in the frame of the lifting element located a substantial distance from the lower end thereof so that when this element is lowered to the ground, carriage ill will ride above the curved lowermost ends 22 of the upright and the load receiving arms of the lifting element will remain in a horizontal position. This position of mounting will be preferred when lifting and carrying packages, lumber, and the like, which are to be lifted straight, transportedand set downstraight or level with theground. On the other handyby mounting the shaft 6| in a second pair of openings '60 located nearer the bottom of the lifting element the carriage will be permitted to travel onto the curved -lower end 22 of the upright to cause a forward tilting of the element and bring the forward ends of arms 6| and 52 into contact with the ground, which may be desired for handling certain types of loads.

When mounted on the carriage as illustrated in the drawing, the lifting element is normally restrained against pivotal movement about shaft 6i by means of a latch hook 62 pivotallysecured to a pair of lugs welded to the upper member 48 of the lifting element. The end of the hook is adapted toengage behind a cooperating shoulder formed by flattened portion 69 on the latch control shaft 63, which shaft is rotatably supported by suitable brackets welded'to the upper portion of the carriage cross member. Rotation of the shaft in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. .3 releases the latchhook from the flattened shoulder of the shaft. Means for eifecting rotation of the shaft comprises alever arm 66 having one end fixed to the end of the shaft 63 and the other connected by a link to the central portion of a second lever arm 66. The lower end of the lever arm 66 is pivotally ecured to the side plates 36 of the carriage while a manual control rope 6'! is secured to the upperend of the arm 66. Spring 68 secured between lever arm 6'6. andthe side of the carriage forward of the arm 66 serves to bias the shaft .63 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3. Contact of lever arm upper cross member of the liftingelement and at the other end to an eyebolt assembly 13 arranged on the upperportion 39 .of the carriage cross member. Spring 14 arranged around the eyebolt resiliently arrests the downward movement of theload lifting element after release of the latch. V

Rearward movement of the element I1 is limited by the adjustable stop 39 secured in the de pending flange 40 of the carriage unit.

It will be understood of-course that in handling loads which are required to be picked up and let down with care, the latch hook.62 will not be tripped to release the lift element for dumping. To prevent accidental dumping, the slack in the snubbing chain 'Il may be taken up so that the lift element will not pivot on the 1 carriage even though the latch hook 62 shouldadisengage.

When the frame is raised by engaging shaft 6| in the lower-openings on the vertical members 4'6 and 41, latch 62 will be raised so as not to be member 48. The limiting abutment 39 may be adjusted or removed in order to clear the load in this event. If desired, a bar may be dropped between the forward edges of the carriage side plates and the vertical members of the arrangement I! and the snubbing chain then drawn taut so as to retain the frame in more nearly vertical position and forwardly of the limiting abutment 39.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, two snubbing chains 85 and 8% are shown, one at each side of the carriage indicated generally at 81. Otherwise the carriage 81 is substantially the same as previously described. As more clearly illustrated in the enlarged fragmentary view of Fig. 8, the snubbing chains extend through keyhole openings 88 in the rearwardly extending flange 89 of the upper frame member of the lifting element at. The slack in the chains 85 and 85 may be adjusted to limit the pivotal movement of the lifting element upon dumping as desired, or to prevent any pivotal or dumping movement even though the latch should disengage. The springs 9! are of adequate strength to hold the lifting element against pivotal movement even in the loaded condition.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 9, the upper end of the load lifting element 95 is bolted to the side plates of the carriage 96 by means of short straps Si. In this instance no provision is made for tilting movement or dumping of the load.

As indicated hereinbefore, the construction and arrangement of the carriage structure of the present invention is such that different load lifting and load receiving elements can be removably mounted thereon. Our copending application N. 853,747, filed March 12, 1946 discloses the mounting of a scoop arrangement on the carriage structure disclosed herein, reference being hereby made to that application for a more detailed description of such arrangement. The exchange is accomplished merely by lowering the lifting fork to the ground and disconnecting it from the carriage. The scoop having mounting means corresponding to openings 60 and the latch hook assembly is then moved into place and connected to the carriage in the same manner as in the case of the lifting fork shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

Having described the invention in what is considered to be a preferred embodiment thereof it desired that it be understood that the specific details shown are merely illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by, other means.

What we claim is:

1. A material handling device comprising a vehicle including a frame, an upright secured to the forward end of said frame, a load receiving element, a carriage pivotally supporting said load receiving element and mounted upon said upright for vertical movement with respect thereto, said carriage comprising a pair of spaced apart parallel side plates, the spacing between said side plates being greater than the width of said upright. a unitary cross member rigidly securing said side plates in spaced relationship, a tubular member extending transversely of said carriage adjacent the bottom portion of said 6 cross member, a pair of rollers mounted on the lowerrear portion of said plates and adapted to ride upon the forward side of said upright, 21'. second pair of rollers mounted on the upper rear portion of said side plates and adapted to ride On the back side of said upright, said load receiving element comprising a vertically extending back portion composed of a pair of vertical angle irons and a pair of horizontal angle irons secured to the upper and lower portions of said vertical angle irons, a plurality of forwardly extending'load receiving arms secured to the lower end of said back portion, ashaft extending through said tubular member and connecting said vertical angle iron-s for pivotally mounting said load receiving element on said carriage, means for retaining said element in a load receiving position, said means comprising a latch shaft rotatably mounted on the upper portion of said carriage, a hook means pivotally secured to said load lifting element for cooperatively engaging said latch shaft, means for rotating said latch shaft in one direction for causing disengagement of said hook means comprising a lever pivotally mounted on one of said side plates, means for rotatably linking said lever to said latch shaft, and means connected to said lever normally biasing said lever to a latching position of said latch shaft, said lever resting against said latch shaft when in said latching position.

2. In a vehicle apparatus of the class described, an upright on the forward end of said vehicle, a carriage mounted for vertical movement on said upright, the lower end of said upright being rearwardly bent to effect tilting of said carriage upon movement thereof to the lower end of said upright, a load lifting element including a vertical rear frame portion, and means for selectively mounting said element on said carriage with said frame portion depending below said carriage by a distance at least equal to the height of said rearwardly bent upright portion above the ground or at a higher point on said carriage.

3. In a vehicle apparatus of the class described, a pair of parallel spaced apart track means defining an upright on the forward end of said vehicle, a carriage mounted for vertical movement on said upright, the lower end of said track means being bent rearwardly toward said vehicle, a load lifting element including a vertical rear frame portion, means for attaching said frame portion to said carriage with the lower end of said frame portion adjacent the lower portion of said carriage whereby upon movement of said carriage onto the lower end of said track means said frame portion is tilted forwardly, and means for selectively attaching said carriage to an upper portion of said frame intermediate the ends thereof whereby the lower end of said frame engages the ground before said carriage moves onto said bent portion of said track means.

4. In a vehicle apparatus of the class described, a vertically movable carriage mounted on the forward end of said vehicle, said carriage comprising a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel side plates, a cross member having the ends thereof welded to said side plates, said cross member comprising a vertical upper portion and a forwardly sloping bottom portion extending beyond said side plates, and a tubular member extending transversely of said carriage adjacent the bottom portion of said cross member, said tubular member being welded to the forwardly 7 extending longitudinal edge of said cross memher and being adapted to receive a. shaft for supporting a load lifting element.

HAROLD A. WAGNER. GUSTAVE H. WAGNER.

REFERENCES CITED The followin references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Numbr Name 7 Date Wagner'et a1. 4 Oct; 9, 1945 Le Grand H. Lull Feb. 5, 1946 Martin Feb. 26, 1946 Mandt Aug. 6, 1946 Henry Sept. 2, 1947 Thorns Mar. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Sept. 26, 1932 

